Shape Matching Activity - DIY Popsicle Stick Travel Toy for Toddlers

Ready for a shape matching activity that’s easy to take on the go for road trip, as airplane activities for toddlers and preschoolers, or in the classroom? Try these shape matching activity from craft sticks!

I love a really easy grab-n-go activity that keeps kids busy, doesn’t take up space, and can simply be discarded or passed on when we’re done with it! Craft stick puzzles are a win in this way: they’re so flat and easy to pack, they can even be kept in my slim shoulder bag!

This shape matching activity is ideal for classrooms, for road trips, for long plane rides, or any time you’ll enjoy something nice and compact for on the go.

Tips for making this shape matching activity

Before we start, here are some crafting tips and ideas for variations to get the most out of your shape matching activity.

Your Puzzle Base

I used craft sticks to make this shape matching puzzle, because it’s affordable, accessible, and flat! Go for jumbo tongue-depressor style ones, or, if you can find it, super jumbo craft sticks.

If you don’t have craft sticks, you can follow the same format using scraps of corrugated cardboard, or just cardstock. It just won’t be as neat and durable, but it’ll definitely work.

You can make an XL version for more permanent use as a playroom or classroom toy by using paint stirrers or similar wooden slats.

Adding the Shapes

In this tutorial, I show you how to create these craft stick puzzles using acrylic paint. You want something bright and opaque for kids to be able to see easily.

To do this, use a stiff-ish thin paintbrush. You’ll need to exercise some wrist control, and may want to keep things clean by outlining your shapes.

If you prefer to, you might have a much easier time using paint markers. I highly recommend POSCA markers if you can swing them – they’re opaque, long-lasting, and of superior quality. However, if you can’t, Ohuhu also makes a few versions of paint markers that work very well (their automatic ink ones are my favorite).

More shapes to draw & matchmaking tips

While this was absolutely created as a shape matching activity for basic shape recognition, don’t stop at that! Try creating other images for kids to match up, and think beyond the drawn shapes. Some ideas:

Themed: florals for Spring, holiday shapes
Unit-based, such as transportation/vehicles, animals, and more.
Letter recognition
Number recognition
Color matching – use dot stickers split on two sticks
Morse-style patterns for older kids
Images clipped from magazines

You can see that with the basic format of this craft in place, the possibilities are endless.

Ways to use this shape matching activity

Here are some of my favorite ways to use any craft stick puzzles!

Taking it on the go

I love organizing simple activities in pencil cases in a travel binder, coupon file (see my ideas for a DIY travel activity kit here), or even in simple activity pouches.

This one is small and flat enough that it works in any of these settings – and even small enough to store in the car without too much clutter.

You can also attach magnets to the back and use it on a sheet pan as a magnetic activity.

Classroom lessons and applications

There are so many lessons to be learned from a simple activity like this:

Counting
Color identification
Matching
Pattern and sequencing
Visual Perceptual Skills
Fine Motor Coordination

Of course, you can add to the mix by swapping out the themes like I did above. You can add social skills by playing games with this (such as racing games, or give each kid a stack, and have them swap with friends the parts that they’re missing, like open-card go-fish style).

Since this is inexpensive, you can make a few sets and have it as a classroom center activity and quiet time toy.

How to make a craft stick puzzle shape matching activity

Here’s the step by step process to craft these. Of course, do it as you’d like.

What you’ll need

16 jumbo craft sticks
Acrylic craft paints in black, white and primary/ROYGBIV colors (recommended for preschool kids for early color recognition.) Alternatively, use paint markers
Washi, masking, or painter’s tape
Paintbrush if using craft paints
Pencil

Step by Step Instructions

1. Gather all supplies. Using a low tack paper tape, attach eight sets of two jumbo craft sticks together.

2. I recommend outlining your shapes on a separate paper to keep things consistent. I recommend: a circle, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a heart, and a diamond. For big kids, you can add more complex shapes like hexagons, trapezoids, etc. Select one color of craft paint for each shape.

3. Using a pencil, trace three shapes onto each set of jumbo craft sticks. Make the combination of shapes random. Make the center of the shape (especially those with a distinct center point like diamonds and hearts) fall on the space between the sticks.

4. Basecoat the hearts with red acrylic craft paint. Let dry, then apply a second coat if necessary.

5. Basecoat the rectangles with orange acrylic craft paint. Let dry, then apply a second coat if necessary. Note: these are just color suggestions, as I did it. Feel free to adapt with your own colors.